On a beautiful, sunny October morning, hundreds of fans who had arrived early eagerly waited to be among the first to enter the recently repaired Country Calling festival grounds. There was a palpable tremor of excitement in the air as the gates opened and the crowds poured in, greeted by the sounds of country music, the mouthwatering aromas of delicious food and the colorful sights of festivalgoers of all ages dressed in their country best.
As the day progressed, so did the flair for fashion! Denim and flannel, leather and lace, dresses, jeans, skirts and shorts were mixed and matched to reflect each person’s individual style. Heads were decked with cowboy hats of every imaginable shape and size. But the most notable fashion statement of all? The boots!
These were not simply the traditional brown cowboy boots with their intricate stitching and embellishments. Oh, no! The boots were as varied and distinctive as the festivalgoers themselves. Imagine a sea of colors, styles and shapes, from thigh-high white boots to ankle-high black ones, smooth and shiny red leather, pink sequins, blue suede and boots adorned with colorful ribbons. Every pair seemed to tell its own story, just as unique as the person wearing them.
Beyond the fashion, however, was something even more special: the people and the shared love of country music that brought them together. Mothers danced with their children, grandfathers sat back and enjoyed an ice-cold beer, and young couples moved from stage to stage, eager to get up close to the artists they already loved while discovering new and emerging talent.
One young woman, Taryn, who had traveled from Pennsylvania with friends, came to Country Calling specifically to see Miranda Lambert and hear her favorite song, “The House That Built Me.” But by attending the festival, she also had the opportunity to discover and appreciate artists such as Kaitlin Butts, Elijah Scott and Belles. And that is one of the beautiful things about a festival like Country Calling. It gives music lovers the chance to discover artists they might never otherwise encounter, creating new favorites and perhaps even lifelong fans along the way.
As the first day faded into twilight, it was truly impressive to look out across the tens of thousands of people who had filled the festival grounds. From babies a few months old to their great-grandparents, the crowd was a wonderful reminder that country music knows no age limits. Country music fans come from all walks of life, yet for those magical hours, they share the same music, the same excitement and the same sense of belonging.
Then came Day Two, bringing a very different experience: rain, wet sand and chilly temperatures. But even Mother Nature couldn’t keep the die-hard country fans away!
Thousands of people, with rain gear and without, crowded around the stages. Some danced in the rain, soaked to the skin but refusing to let the weather dampen their spirits. Others took temporary refuge from the downpour by exploring the shops and restaurants along the Boardwalk, enjoying a welcome respite before returning to the music.
The second day brought a new addition to the previous day’s rainbow of boots. Wellingtons, duck boots and Muck Boots had joined the party! Their practical presence certainly made sense in the soggy conditions, although they could not compete with the glamour of the cowboy boots that had made such a fashion statement the day before. Many of those beautiful boots were now darkened by rain or crusted with wet sand, but they remained part of the festival’s unmistakable character. Adding even more color to the scene was an assortment of bright ponchos worn by those determined to stay as dry as possible while refusing to miss a moment of the music, food, drinks and fun.
As the afternoon gave way to evening, some of the youngest festivalgoers began to succumb to the long, eventful day. Little heads in crocheted cowboy hats rested against family members, while small bodies were wrapped snugly in beach blankets for warmth. It was a sweet reminder that a festival like this is not just about the music. It is about families making memories, friends sharing experiences and generations coming together to enjoy something they love.
Looking back on both days, what stands out most is the incredible combination of music, fashion, food and fellowship. The weather may have changed, but the spirit of the festival never did. From the dazzling array of cowboy boots on a sunny October morning to the rain boots and colorful ponchos of a soggy second day, Country Calling was a celebration of individuality and community. It brought together people of every age and background, united by their love of country music and their willingness to sing, dance, laugh and make memories together, regardless of what the weather had in store.
One thing is certain: This was definitely the year of Boots, Scoot and Boogie — iykyk!
And as the final notes faded and another unforgettable festival came to a close, one thought remained: What a wonderful time, what wonderful music and what wonderful memories!
Coverage of Country Calling is sponsored by Coast2Coast RV Rentals, the Official Coverage Sponsor of the Southern Maryland Chronicle. Heading to the shore this fall? Coast2Coast RV Rentals delivers and sets up campers across the Delmarva Peninsula, at campgrounds, private lots and festivals. Learn more at coast2coastrvrental.com or on Facebook.
